French Fourth Republic

The French Fourth Republic was the republican government of France between 1946 and 1958, with Paris serving as its capital. The Fourth Republic was founded in the aftermath of World War II, reviving the politics of the prewar Third French Republic. The new constitution was adopted on 13 October 1946, and the republic's era saw great economic growth, the rebuilding of the nation's social institutions and industry, the establishment of social security and unemployment insurance, disability and old-age pensions, and universal healthcare. However, debates about the proposed strengthening of the executive branch led to frequent political crises, and there were 21 administrations in the republic's twelve-year history. The government was also torn on the decolonization process, and the republic collapsed as the result of the unpopular Algerian War. Charles de Gaulle returned from retirement and established a new constitution, strengthening the presidency. The Fourth Republic was dissolved on 5 October 1958 and replaced with the French Fifth Republic.